Why Teens Are Turning to AI for Mental Health Support — And What Parents Need to Know

May 7

New Kind of Help: AI Chatbots and Mental Health

If you're a teen struggling with anxiety, loneliness, or an eating disorder — or a parent concerned about your child's mental well-being — you're not alone.

Today, more teens and young adults are turning to AI-powered chatbots like Woebot, Wysa, and Replika for mental health support. These digital tools offer a private, judgment-free space to talk about difficult emotions, often using techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

🗣️ "I couldn’t talk to anyone, but Woebot helped me feel heard."
— 17-year-old, anonymous user via Reddit

But are these chatbots helpful? Or do they pose new risks? Let’s take a closer look.

📲 Why Teens Are Using Mental Health Apps

For many young people, AI chatbots feel:

Accessible – Free or low-cost and available 24/7
Private – No need to worry about being judged
Familiar – Text-based and casual, just like chatting with a friend

And with waitlists for therapy growing and many teens feeling overwhelmed, AI support often feels like a lifeline.

📊 A 2023 study published in JMIR Mental Health found that teens who used Woebot reported a significant drop in depressive symptoms after just two weeks.

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents: What You Should Know

As a parent, you might wonder:
"Is it safe for my teen to use a chatbot for emotional support?"

Here’s the truth:

✅ The Good:

Some apps are based on real psychological science (like CBT).
Teens may feel more comfortable opening up to a “non-human” first.
It can be a first step toward therapy, not a replacement.

⚠️ The Concerns:

Chatbots can’t diagnose or help in a crisis.
They may not recognize signs of eating disorders or suicidal thinking.
Misinformation spreads quickly — especially on TikTok, where 83% of “mental health advice” is misleading.

🧠 Encourage your teen to share what they’re using and talk about it. You’re not taking away their tool — you’re making sure it’s helping, not harming.

🍽️ AI Chatbots and Eating Disorder Recovery

Some AI apps now claim to support eating disorder (ED) recovery — but this is a delicate and high-risk area.

At the same time, toxic trends like #SkinnyTok continue to expose teens to harmful content that glorifies thinness and disordered eating.

🚨 A UK study reported a 35% rise in teen hospitalizations related to eating disorders, with social media influence as a major factor.

So while a chatbot might offer support, it’s not a replacement for professional help. In ED recovery, medical and psychological supervision is essential.

💬 What You Can Do — Together

For Teens:

If you're using a chatbot and it's helping you feel calmer, that’s great.
But if you're feeling worse, confused, or alone — it’s time to talk to a real person.
Ask a parent, school counselor, or therapist for support.

For Parents:

Ask: “Have you used any apps to help you feel better?”
Listen without judgment. Your goal is openness, not control.
Consider trying the app yourself to better understand it.

🧭 Final Takeaway

AI mental health tools are here to stay — and they can be part of the solution, especially when used wisely and with guidance. But they should never replace genuine human connection or professional care.

🤝 Talk with your teen. Ask questions. Be curious, not critical.
Together, you can make technology work for healing — not harm.

Shawn Gauthier